Close call rightly sparks concern

Fireworks and historic wooden buildings are never going to be a good mix.

So it is understandable some parties are calling for a review of Guy Fawkes activities in the city after claims the Royal Wanganui Opera House was placed in jeopardy on Saturday as sparks from the public show flew dangerously close to the grand old building.

As reported yesterday, the Cooks Gardens show was well attended and apparently well run. Yet there lingers a concern that conditions were such it was more good luck that a catastrophic fire didn't result. That the hill was ablaze briefly is concerning enough, but reports of sparks heading towards the velodrome and opera house need investigation.

Quite aside from the rights or wrongs of Guy Fawkes events, the safety of the community and protection of property - public and private - should be paramount. It has been suggested the event may need to be moved and maybe Councillors Jack Bullock and Ray Stevens have a point. There are other, potentially safer options for such a spectacular. Far better to act now than forever live with the regret of not having made a decision.

As magnificent as the opera house is, once it's gone we can never get it back.

Just when you thought the generation gap had become so wide as to be insurmountable comes the story of the Wanganui Girls' College students celebrating their grandparents.

How refreshing to see young people taking time to show their appreciation. It is hard to quantify what it means to have the support, encouragement, skill and wisdom of someone who has been there, done that. Parents and peers are one thing, but there is something about the bond with a grandparent that is special.

Kudos to the school and its students for taking this step - especially so for widening the invitation beyond those with a relationship to borrowed grannies from Jane Winstone Home.

Perhaps this concept could be extended and become a national day of celebration of all our older residents contribute to society.

Feedback: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz